TMaG & Microsoft Partnership

Technology has changed sports and certainly new materials and manufacturing methods have changed our game of golf. From the use of space age metals to computer controlled cutting of grooves not to mention computerized swing analysis and teaching golfers can benefit.

Another move towards integrating some interesting technology into everyday golf rounds was announced last week by TaylorMade Golf Company and Microsoft using the Microsoft Band from Microsoft Health. The Band tracks the user’s heart rate, steps, calorie burn, quality of sleep and even gives email previews plus alerts to pending appointments.

“Digital technology is playing a bigger part in peoples’ lives today,” said David Abeles, CEO of TaylorMade Golf Company. “This is no different in the golf space, so it was a natural fit to partner with Microsoft in developing this innovative platform, aimed at enhancing the golfers experience through a series of unprecedented smart technologies.”

“We are excited to bring the golf experience to the Microsoft Band,” said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president, Microsoft Devices and Services. “The combination of walking several miles with the physical rigor that goes into playing a round provides a great opportunity for Microsoft Health and Microsoft Band to track our golf customers’ fitness and provide observations to help take their game to the next level.”

Applications on the Microsoft Band will provide shot tracking and analysis capabilities beginning with the Golf Tile app which has shot tracking, GPS yardages to front, middle and back of the green and a digital scorecard. Data shows on the Microsoft Band throughout the round but a summary can also be found on the Microsoft Health phone application (iOS, Android and Windows Phone) or Microsoft Health web dashboard afterwards.

TMaG will soon launch a new app named myRoundPro, a standalone analytics platform that is enhanced when used with the Golf Tile and Microsoft Health. myRoundPro will statistics in greater detail such as strokes gained, proximity to the hole, fairways hit and greens in regulation.

The Microsoft Band is sold for $199 by Microsoft Stores, at Amazon, Best Buy and Target and online at microsoftstore.com.

Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a life long love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 4. He and his wife live in suburban Orlando.